Sanctitatis Nova Signa [Sanctity’s New Signs]
(Attributed to Thomas of Celano)
- Sanctity’s novel emblems came,
Signs that were worthy of acclaim,
Awesome, and yet with warmth aflame,
To Francis’s hands entrusted. - A new flock to be led and ruled,
With a new set of laws imbued;
Thus were the King’s commands renewed,
By Francis’s hands transmitted. - An order new, a life-form new
Appeared on earth out of the blue;
Its sanctioned rule was to renew
The pattern the gospels teach. - In the image of Christ’s decree,
Law is remodeled perfectly;
The purpose of the rule must be
The apostolic peak to reach. - With simple cord his austere wear
He bound, to vesture gave no care;
Bread he carried in measure spare,
And barefooted, shoes he spurned. - As poverty alone he sought,
To earthly goods he gave no thought;
Underfoot all these Francis trod,
And a purse for money scorned. - Places he sought in which to weep
And voice a heartfelt sorrow deep,
Lament upon sad lament heap
For those worldly years of waste. - Caved in seclusion on the Mount,
He wailed and prayed upon the ground;
And when serenity he found
In those confines hid encased. - In that place with rock for shade,
Absorbed in godly things he stayed;
To slight things here wise judgment made
And espoused the world above. - He curbed his flesh and made it tame
Until transfigured it became;
The food he took, from Scripture came,
Food of earth away he drove.